Major Hicks Beachasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, in some cases, Women's Royal Naval Service officers are not being allowed to stay on in the service for a short period to qualify for retired pay when they have practically completed 15 years' service; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. WardOfficers of the Women's Royal Naval Service are normally granted retired pay on the completion of a minimum of 20 years' reckonable service. A special concession is made, however, to certain officers who, in the interests of the Service, were entered above the normal age. These officers may be granted retired pay provided that they have completed 15 years of reckonable service before compulsory retirement. My noble Friend regrets that he is unable to extend this concession by retaining officers beyond the age of compulsory retirement when their retention is not essential for Service purposes.